E-Commerce Legal Issues

Consumers and business customers now purchase a wide range of goods, services and digital content via the internet. It is important for online traders to understand the relevant regulations and have suitable processes that comply with them.

Ts and Cs for E-commerce Sales

It is crucial that online traders have a set of appropriate terms and conditions that are properly applied. See "E-commerce Terms and Conditions" below.

Ts and Cs for Use of Website

Even if not selling any products on their website, website owners should have a professionally written set of terms and conditions which cover permitted uses of the website. See "Website Terms and Conditions" below.

Cookies

Websites which use non-essential cookies are legally obliged to seek consent from visitors before using them. See "Website Cookies" below.

Privacy Policy and Data Protection

The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 as amended set out a variety of marketing rules which apply to the use of email marketing campaigns They also govern the rules surrounding the use of cookies. Meanwhile, the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 regulate processing of personal data by companies. See "Privacy Policy and Data Protection" below.

Consumer Contracts and E-Commerce Regulations

The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 require all businesses selling goods, services or digital content online to consumers, to provide a number of types of information. The Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002 provide further obligations for businesses using the web, even if they are only advertising their goods online. See "Consumer Contracts and E-Commerce Regulations" below.

We have a range of up-to-date legal documents covering all aspects of e-commerce which can be used by your business and adapted to your needs. These can be downloaded from our Business Documents Folder. Click on the relevant links below for further information.

E-Commerce Legal Issues

E-Commerce Legal Issues

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